7
Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?
8
For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
9
So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
10
There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.
11
Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.
12
Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
13
Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
14
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15
What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
16
Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?
17
For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18
I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;
19
yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20
Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
21
In the law it is written: "With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me," says the Lord.
22
Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
23
Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
24
But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.
25
And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
26
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
27
If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.